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Hopefulness Among Non‐U.S.‐Born Latino Youth and Young Adults
Author(s) -
Stoddard Sarah A.,
Garcia Carolyn M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of child and adolescent psychiatric nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.331
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1744-6171
pISSN - 1073-6077
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6171.2011.00307.x
Subject(s) - hopefulness , feeling , psychological intervention , immigration , protective factor , mental health , young adult , gerontology , psychology , medicine , clinical psychology , psychiatry , social psychology , archaeology , history
PROBLEM: U.S. Latino youths experience disproportionately high rates of health and social problems. There is a need to identify protective factors for reducing risky behaviors. Little is known about the protective nature of hope among immigrant Latino adolescents. METHODS: This descriptive cross‐sectional study examined hope and expectations for the future in non‐U.S.‐born Latino adolescents and young adults ( n = 98) in urban and rural areas in the midwestern United States. FINDINGS: Participants reported feeling hopeful about their future; however, differences were detected among subgroups. CONCLUSION: Findings affirm the potential of hope as a protective factor for immigrant Latino adolescents and young adults. Nurses should be aware of hopefulness when implementing mental health preventive interventions. Research is needed to identify effective mechanisms for promoting and sustaining hope.